Plantation Retirement Resorts submits plans for 96-unit retirement village

A vacant corner block in a southern Sunshine Coast suburb could soon house a 96-unit development if plans are approved by the state government. See the proposal details.

Plans for Baringa's 96-unit vertical retirement village revealed.

A developer has taken plans to build 96 units in the form a vertical retirement village in a Caloundra South suburb to the state government for approval.

Plans for the vertical retirement village were submitted to the department of state development and infrastructure on behalf of Plantation Retirement Resorts in January 2024.

The company is behind a number of other retirement villages including one in Morayfield, a recently-completed tower in Cotton Tree and 56-unit development in Maroochydore set to be completed in 2025.

Located on Baringa Dr, the site is “ready-made for development purposes” according to the town planning report, which describes plans for six different unit layouts spread across four storeys.

The development is proposed to be built in two separate stages, the first release would include 52 units followed by the on-site manager’s unit and the remainder of the 96 dwellings.

A proposed vertical retirement village has been proposed for a vacant Caloundra South site.

If approved, the 96 units will be spread across three towers.

The planning report also describes a communal activities hall and outdoor pool area.

“The ground level built form fronting Baringa Drive will comprise a series of communal spaces for recreation and activities for the enjoyment of residents providing a sense of interaction between the private and public realms at street level,” the report stated.

Plantation’s design for the Baringa site include a communal activities hall and outdoor pool area.

According to the plans three of the proposed towers exceed the 40m length limit, reaching lengths of 55m.

“With consideration to the scale of the development and good building articulation described above, the separation proposed between the towers is reasonable and coupled with generous corridor widths exceeding 6 metres facilitates good cross ventilation and natural light,” the report stated.

The proposal also exceeds the 50 per cent site coverage limit, however this is due to the plans for an underground car park the report stated.

A number of issues with previous plans submitted for the site were noted by the state government in a letter to the town planners in February last year, including a request for a resubmission of the development’s sustainability report.

“The submitted sustainability report does not demonstrate a commitment to innovation rather relying on well-established subtropical design principles,” the letter stated.

“As the site is to be wholly retained in single ownership, there is an inherent custodianship benefit in seeking to deliver a development where asset and community-scale resilience are evident.”

Originally published as Plantation Retirement Resorts submits plans for 96-unit retirement village